Battlefield 1942 has managed to grind productivity to a halt on several occasions here at work. Late nights and weekends bring gunfire, explosions and screams of pain to the IGN offices. More than a few editors have stayed after hours for that one last game that will give the fix they need. But that fix is never enough. There have been frequent sightings of Ivan and Cory asleep at their desks, drool slowly seeping into the cracks between keys, with a mouse in one hand and Japanese cries of control points being lost washing over their snoring bodies. Just last night, even though the usual soothing call of his bed was pulling him to sleep, Dan found himself sitting down in front of the computer for a quick game. Of course that quick game lasted four hours and meant sleep at three in the morning. Well that and the speed, can't forget about the speed.

With this in mind, we're sure you can understand the excitement that we felt when we heard we would get the chance to take a trip down to Electronic Arts in Redwood City, CA and look at the first expansion pack for Battlefield 1942 entitled The Road to Rome. The siren song of DICE's superlative shooter brought five of us (Steve, Dan, Ivan, Tal, and Cory) down for some significant hours of hands-on play. From the moment we wandered into the EA offices and heard that lovely Battlefield tune, it was on. The blood started pumping and we were ready to start shooting some fools.

Considering we're normally teaching other players the meaning of pain, it was more than a little shocking to come up against the group of testers that had basically been playing the game non-stop for days and days. They were good. Some of them were sickeningly good, especially since they knew the maps and we didn't. But when the shooting started, it didn't matter that by the end of the day only one of us had managed to crack the top three slot. Thanks Dan! You're the greatest! (Please note that Ivan only played three of the maps on a feeble computer and Cory spent the day filming.)

So without further ado, explore the rest of the preview that outlines new content and offers impressions of each of the new maps. And make damn sure that you check out the 28 new movies we took of the action, which all include color commentary by all of IGNPC's gutter-mouthed editors.

German SturmGeschutz:

Designed for infantry support, the SturmGeschutz went into production in 1940, with output reaching 50 vehicles per month. The tank's 75mm gun was offset to the right, while a vision port set in the left of the superstructure and twin periscopes allowed the driver and the gunner to operate the tank. Five of these tanks took part in the invasion of France.

The forward firing cannon on this one has a similar feel to the artillery of the first game, though the driver can operate this gun. At top we have a protected machinegun nest. Calling those that ride with you DOA no longer applies, as the top turrets are far more effective than before, protecting their manners from all but the most vicious of snipers.

The SturmGeschutz doesn't have the general effectiveness of the M3 Grant, nor is it as nimble as the GMC, but the powerful forward cannon coupled with the now protected machinegun nest make it invaluable for defensive perches and offensive plows.

Italian LCVP:

This landing craft is an Italian version of the more widely known Allied Higgins boat.

And it controls like it too. It seems to have that same level of turning that the Higgins had, as opposed to its Japanese counterpart, which swung in arcs that are far wider and slower than America's person to land mobile.

Notice the lack of a machinegun on this one. It's used rather infrequently in the new maps (parked in a river at one point) so beaching it and using the turret as some kind of suppressive weapon wouldn't even matter anyway. The thick armor and fast ramp translate to quick offs and relatively steady rides.

Italian M11-39 Carro Armato:

Designed as a breakthrough tank, the M11-39 entered service in 1939 as Italy's most modern tank. Its career was cut short due to shortcomings such as armor that was too light and a hull-mounted 37mm gun that was too weak. In later models, the main gun was moved from the hull to the turret, which afforded greater range of motion and increased its effectiveness.

A faster medium tank that puts an emphasis on mobility and the ability for its secondary gunner to be protected while he fires, the Carro Armato is the basic equivalent of favored tanks in the first Battlefield, only with the shell around machinegunners and the more AA flavored top mounted weapon. It's a lot like the American Grant.

It serves that vital role as institutor of fear, but don't expect its low powered turrets to best any adversary in a head on match unless you combine the two and manage to avoid a few incoming shells yourself.

Weapons

British Sten Gun:

The Sten Gun is a compact automatic weapon that features a massive bolt inside a tubular casing with a front-fixed barrel and a left-side feeding magazine, which can be supported on the firer's forearm. The gun was not popular with soldiers in the field, due to a tendency to jam, but it was cheap to make. Four million were supplied to the British Army in WWII.

I've never actually felt it jam in use, but if you like the machineguns of medics you'll love this one. French medics are the only folks who come with these, though I wouldn't be surprised if the British medics of the first game are outfitted with them as a bit of backward compatibility, even though it may mess up those who choose not to buy into the expansion pack.

I'm curious to see how all this talk of jamming stacks up, but for now, it seems very much like other medic guns in the way it works, but it feels a little more subdued than most weapons.

K98 Bayonet:

Every soldier who fought for Germany in WWII trained with this rifle -- for many this was their only weapon throughout the war. With the attachment of a scope, the K98 could be used as a sniper rifle. Other attachments included a shot cup (which enable the weapon to fire both explosive and armor piercing grenades) and a 10" bayonet issued in all theaters of battle.

One shot one kill.

Here's how the bayonet works. When you pick an engineer and spawn you'll see two kinds of rifles in your weapons list. One is for the rifle with the alternate fire as the zoom, while the other is for the rifle with the alternate fire set to stab. So there is no additional key set just for slicing and dicing fools.

It seems a bit easier to peg someone with the bayonet than the knife, but it's still a pain in the ass. Regardless, there's nothing quite as satisfying as sneaking up behind a camper and stabbing them down to the ground while they nap or whatever. Just remember, only engineers have the options for bayonets. A little odd, considering it seems more appropriately attached to assault grunts.

No. 4 Bayonet:

The culmination of years of trial, the No. 4 Mk1 was easier, faster and cheaper to produce than the SMLE. This infantry rifle was one of the first, full production weapons to utilize the aperture style rear sights, seen on all modern military rifles. When affixed with the "spike" bayonet, it became a menacing hand-to-hand weapon.

One shot one kill.

Here's how the bayonet works. When you pick an engineer and spawn you'll see two kinds of rifles in your weapons list. One is for the rifle with the alternate fire as the zoom, while the other is for the rifle with the alternate fire set to stab. So there is no additional key set just for slicing and dicing fools.

It seems a bit easier to peg someone with the bayonet than the knife, but it's still a pain in the ass. Regardless, there's nothing quite as satisfying as sneaking up behind a camper and stabbing them down to the ground while they nap or whatever. Just remember, only engineers have the options for bayonets. A little odd, considering it seems more appropriately attached to assault grunts.

As you might have guessed, it's pretty much the same as the other bayonet.

Italian Breda Model 30:

Considered to be a less than satisfactory automatic weapon, the Breda Model 30 fired unreliable 6.5mm rounds and had a relatively low magazine capacity. Though distinctive in appearance, the Breda lacked a handle for changing the red-hot barrel and featured an awkward hinged magazine, which made reloading a slow and laborious process.

I'm not so fond of this one. It features a slow rate of fire, only 20 bullets (the equivalent of the allied BAR), somewhat sloppy aim (could be psychological), and a graphical kickback that makes you feel like you're always off.

But it sure is cool to look at. The Breda jerks and jangles and just sounds cool while it clicks and clangs. In use, I still found myself dropping it for the preferred kits of my enemies, but that doesn't mean it's totally without merit. If you love the BAR and can deal with the apparently slower rate of fire and somewhat off aim then go nuts.